China’s Reignwood signs LOI for 50 Bell 505s

Reignwoord Investments has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Bell helicopters that could see the US manufacturer deliver up to 50 Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters to the Chinese company.

The agreement was signed at the Air Show China event at Zhuhai’ Jinwan Airport in southern China’s Guangdong province, and adds to a previous order for 10 Bell 505’s signed in March 2014.

ALSO SEE: Beijing offers first helicopter tours

Reignwood says it will use the additional helicopters for travel and tourism purposes.

“This agreement demonstrates the interest and excitement Bell Helicopter is generating in China and strengthens the relationship between Bell Helicopter and Reignwood,” said Bell Helicopter’s president and CEO John Garrison.

“The Bell 505 was designed based on extensive input provided by a Customer Advisory Council placing safety, performance and affordability at the forefront of its design. It is built upon the features and capabilities of the legendary Bell JetRanger with a sleek, new design and advanced technologies.”

Earlier in the year Reignwood became one of the first operators to be given authorisation to begin helicopter pleasure flights over Beijing.

The tours, costing between 1,000 and 2,000 yuan ($162-$325) began operating from September 1st in a Bell 407GX.